Proposed pay increases for members of Kenya’s cabinet and parliament will not be implemented after President William Ruto ordered a review of the plan after a public outcry.
A week ago, mass protests forced Ruto to abandon a controversial finance bill that included tax increases.
The Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will “freeze” pay increases for state officials due to “current economic realities”, chairman Lam Monchi said on Wednesday.
Initially, the SRC recommended a 2% and 5% salary increase for all state officials, including judges.
People are beginning to question how the salaries of politicians, including governors, can be increased when there is a so-called financial crisis.
Munchic said the switch was made after discussions with the Treasury Department.
Last year, the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued a notice recommending that price increases be implemented from the beginning of this month.
But Public Service Minister Moses Kuria said he would not implement the pay rise “as requested by Cabinet”.
Mr Ruto abandoned plans to raise taxes after protesters complained they were unable to pay as they have been hit by sharp rises in the cost of living.
Many say the government should start by reducing spending, something President Ruto has vowed to do.
Several lawmakers, including ruling coalition senator Aaron Cheruyot, called on parliament to reject the pay increase.
Opposition MP Adan Keynan, who is allied with the government, echoed similar sentiments, calling the proposed price increase “deaf on a deaf ear”.
Opposition Senator Edwin Sifuna said raising wages was unjustified “when the country is saying we need to reduce the burden on taxpayers”.
On Tuesday, National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge told People’s Daily that the SRC’s recommendations cannot be overturned as they affect all state officials.
“These changes are normal salary adjustments or raises in any organization,” he said.
But Mr Ruto has asked the Finance Ministry to review the notification.
“The president emphasized that now more than ever it is important for the executive branch and all government agencies to live within their means,” His spokesman issued a statement saying.
Last week’s protests, led by young people, were the largest in Kenya since Mr Ruto took office in 2022.
Demonstrations have since evolved into calls for his resignation and for security forces to face justice for killing protesters.
The state-sponsored Human Rights Commission estimates that 39 people have died in demonstrations over the past two weeks.
Protests appeared to devolve into anarchy on Tuesday as shops and supermarkets were looted.
Police have released photos of 38 people wanted for “engaging in illegal behaviour”.
Some young Kenyans linked to organizing the protests claimed that hired “thugs” had infiltrated the demonstrations.
They said they were re-evaluating their strategies and even considering canceling the protests altogether.
